Saturday, August 4, 2018

Singleton discusses the lore surrounding the rise of the 'Dog Star'

(For decades, local historian and paranormal investigator
George “Buster” Singleton published a weekly newspaper column called “Somewhere
in Time.” The column below, which was titled “The returning of Sirius the dog
star is at hand, things will change unnoticed” was originally published in the July
23, 1998 edition of The Monroe Journal in Monroeville, Ala.)

As dawn breaks across the heavens on Friday, the 24th
day of July, the reign of Sirius, the Dog Star will begin. For a total of 40
days, events may occur that we as a society may give little or no thought to.
In our society of fairyland and make believe, we have forgotten almost all of
the old folk tales handed down through past generations who sat wide-eyed
around the evening fires, listening to tales and legends.

The Dog Star does not appear on the same day in July each
year. It can appear as early as the 20th and as late as the 28th.
The few who think they know something of this event think that Sirius appears
always on the 28th of July. This is not true. The position of the
planets above relate to the date of Sirius’ appearance in the heavens.

On this day in July, the Dog Star will take its place between
our earth and the sun for a period of 40 days. Many things that we take for
granted will change or disappear from the skies above us. Many happenings in
our every day lives will change or make a turn around during this period of
time. With our lives and entertainment centered around the bloob tube, we might
not be aware anything has changed.

For example, should it rain on the first day of Dog Days,
the legends say it will rain the remaining 40 days. If it should be dry that
first day, the countryside will suffer a 40-day drought. Another legend is that
all snakes go blind during this period. Unable to see and search for food, they
become short tempered and hungry. They will strike blindly at the slightest
sound or movement, increasing the risk of snake bite for those who wander in
thick underbrush or tall weeds.

Another story is that milk cows give less milk during this
period. Hogs, cattle, dogs and other animals born during Dog Days are less
likely to survive than those born at other times during the year. It is said
dogs are more likely to go mad or grow vicious during the reign of Sirius.
Among us humans, tempers tend to grow shorter and less patience is shown to
those who cross us. Cuts and bruises are slower to heal during this time; our
bodies seem to lose resistance, and we become weaker during the passing of this
evil star. Infection and fever blisters are said to be more common as the devil
star makes its journey across the heavens.

An early Indian legend has it that fresh drinking water
found in springs along the hillsides is less pure when Sirius is on the prowl.

The early Indians paid a lot of attention to the Dog Star.
If all possible, crops were gathered and brought out of the fields before the
arrival of Sirius. If, during these 40 days, the weather was wet and rainy,
legend has it that thunder was more severe and lightning that flashed across
the darkened skies was more likely to strike and cause damage to the villages
along the rivers and streams. The medicine en or the wind walkers of the tribes
watched the heavens closely so they could warn people of the dangers to come.

They also believed the spirits of the departed were more apt
to wander on the winds of the evening during the reign of the devil star. As
the tribes gathered around the evening fires, prayers were raised to the Great
Spirit to ward off the curse of the devil star. This 40-day period was truly a
time of mystery for the early Indian who roamed the hills and flatland of our
area. Much of their life was based on this period and the signs they looked for
as the Dog Star made its way across the heavens.

Much of their religion was focused on this star that roamed
at will between the earth and the sun. They watched the heavens and the rivers,
knowing that the mystery star would have great effect on their search for food
in the deep waters. Living off the land as they did, all signs of the heavens
were important to their every day living.

Today, in our modern lifestyles, we hear very little about
they mystery signs and goings on within our universe. We pay little or no
attention if it rains for 40 days or if it stays dry for this period of time
that starts in July and ends in September. We pay little or no attention to the
heavens on a clear night during August when the full moon hangs high in the
heavens. If it does not appear on our television sets, most times we know
nothing of the happenings above us.

Once in a great while one might find a calendar that shows
the start of the period of Dog Days. There was a time when much of the life of
the local country folks was based on the signs of the heavens and what the
almanac had to say about the planting and growing of crops.

Much was also done in regards to the signs of the moon. No
farmer in his right mind would plant crops if the signs were not right. From
planting corn to killing hogs, everything bordered on the signs of the moon.
And, even though the coming of the Dog Star was surrounded by mystery, many of
the older citizens kept an eye towards the heavens, hoping to know in advance what
was about to happen.

I don’t profess to be smart, but as I wander around the
countryside and talk to the younger generation about happenings and signs to
look for, I see total disinterest. Very few care whether it rains for 40 days
unless it interferes with a trip to the beach or some local entertainment. No
one of our youth of today know how to search for food in the deep forests or
along the banks of our rivers. I am not a fatalist, by no means, but it
frightens me to know that our youth of today know nothing about how to survive
if worst comes to worst.

In writing this article, I do not intend to preach, but I do
believe that we, as creatures of this universe, should strive to learn all we
can about this world that we live in and the heavens above. If we disregard the
signs that have been placed here for us, we are doomed to roam forever in a
world that has no meaning. But if we try to understand that which is around us,
our lives will be richer and many facts of the unknowns will come to life and
even be helpful in our journey through time and distance.

So, as the 24th of July approaches, take time to
look and learn all you can about the devil star and the effect its journey
across the heavens has on man and his surroundings. Don’t be afraid to seek out
a high hill on a night with a full moon and watch the heavens. It will surprise
you what you will witness. Let us not journey through this life without
learning something about this universe we call home.

(Singleton, the author
of the 1991 book “Of Foxfire and Phantom Soldiers,” passed away at the age of
79 on July 19, 2007. A longtime
resident of Monroeville, he was born to Vincent William Singleton and Frances
Cornelia Faile Singleton, during a late-night thunderstorm, on Dec. 14, 1927 in
Marengo County, graduated from Sweet Water High School in 1946, served as a
U.S. Marine paratrooper in the Korean War, worked as a riverboat deckhand,
lived for a time among Apache Indians, moved to Monroe County on June 28, 1964
and served as the administrator of the Monroeville National Guard unit from
June 28, 1964 to Dec. 14, 1987. He was promoted from the enlisted ranks
to warrant officer in May 1972. For years, Singleton’s columns, titled “Monroe
County history – Did you know?” and “Somewhere in Time” appeared in The Monroe
Journal, and he wrote a lengthy series of articles about Monroe County that
appeared in Alabama Life magazine. It’s believed that his first column appeared
in the March 25, 1971 edition of The Monroe Journal. He is buried in Pineville
Cemetery in Monroeville. The column above and all of Singleton’s other columns
are available to the public through the microfilm records at the Monroe County
Public Library in Monroeville. Singleton’s columns are presented here each week
for research and scholarship purposes and as part of an effort to keep his work
and memory alive.)